7 month old Oliver…..Hoping for a true Christmas miracle

It was a true honor for me to meet a little boy named Oliver Mips yesterday.

Born at 26 weeks, he has been fighting for his own life for 7 long months in the NICU at

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT.

With his parents there daily by his side, little Oliver has had some very scary days.

Here is their story……..

“Oliver has had quite the journey. Oliver was born on May 17th of this year at 26 weeks. His due date was August 22nd. He weighed 1lb. 3oz. and was just 12 inches long. He hasn’t had it easy over the last seven months. When he was born we were told “Preemies usually go home around their due date.” Unfortunately, Oliver is 7 months old and has never left the hospital. He got pneumonia when he was 7 days old and we almost lost him. I suppose that should have prepared us for the long road ahead of us. Because of prematurity, babies lungs can be very sensitive. Couple that with IUGR, which he was diagnosed with, and pneumonia, babies lungs barely mature. Usually what you are left with is what’s called Bronchio Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) or Chronic Lung Disease. Think Emphysema…but fortunately children’s lung tissue can repair itself.

Oliver lungs are very sick and may never heal. Every day for him is a struggle just to breath and he is constantly sick. We watched him day in and day out arch his back and gasping for air until the doctors mentioned a Tracheotomy to us. It was, what we thought, the answer to our prayers. So on, August 19th, at 4 pounds and just 3 days before his “due date” he received a Tracheotomy. Everyone thought “This is going to be great.
We’re going to eliminate his work of breathing so he can grow and his lungs can repair themselves.” Oliver had a different plan. Since the beginning he was always a tough little cookie and didn’t like to be “told” what to do. So instead of the trach working like it should Oliver got worse. The NICU wasn’t able to ventilate him and he was again, always sick. Around this time a doctor sat with me and said “Angela, we haven’t seen a baby like Oliver since surfactant was invented and all of our new technology and medicine are not working for him.” I remember my first thought was “lung transplant.” Oliver wasn’t showing any signs of improvement and we were so frustrated.

In the beginning of October we transferred to the PICU and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Babies with trachs need to weigh about 16-20 lbs. before they can go on the “Home” vent. So we knew this was going to be a
long haul. Two weeks after our transfer he got really, really sick and the doctors had to use a paralytic on him to take away his work of breathing. He was paralyzed for 10 days. It was the worst 10 days. Oliver has some good days but typically he can not make it through a week without getting sick. About 3 weeks ago we got a phone call at 4:50 in the morning. The doctor said the words no parent wants to here. Oliver coded. He required 10 minutes of CPR as well as epinephrine. It was just another reminder of how sick he is.

Then on that Thursday, while I was there, he had another episode. No CPR was required but he was emergently paralyzed…again. I wanted answers and so we asked for a Pulmonary consult and had a family meeting the next week. We were told Oliver’s lungs are so sick and diseased that only 1/3 of his lungs function and the other 2/3 may never heal. In their medical opinion Oliver is going to be vent dependent for a long time if not for the rest of his life. Assuming Oliver is healthy enough to come home we may be in the hospital until he is 2 years old. My husband and I know how sick he is but we believe deep down in our hearts that Oliver is going to surprise everyone and overcome this. We have hope and we can’t let go of it. We are in the process of getting a second opinion through Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Unfortunately there is no magic pill or medicine to fix his lungs. He body needs to grow and heal and if 5 years he is a candidate for lung transplants because his lungs don’t heal then that is what we will do. One day at a time.

This whole experience has been so tough on our family physically, emotionally, and financially. I couldn’t return to work because I couldn’t fathom leaving my sick child in the hospital and Oliver’s medical bills are over $3 Million. Our 7 year old doesn’t quite understand why this is happening to us and why we are so tired. We try really hard to balance life between the hospital and home but it is so difficult. The stress never leaves your body no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Oliver has taught my husband and I so much about love, communication, and strength. He fights hard every day so we can’t let go or give up hope no matter how tired we are.

My motto is : “Where there is a will, there is a way.” We will make it work somehow because Oliver needs us and we need him.”

I spent a few hours with Oliver yesterday capturing his story in photos.

I sat there with him and watched him physically fighting for his life.

I held his warm little hand, and ran my fingers through his golden hair. I cried with his Mom, and said a prayer over him.

This family could use really your help. Please, help me to show this family that they have hands holding them up and that the spirit of Christmas lives in all of us.

This is what it is all about.

Not Santa.

Not snowflakes.

Not the Christmas lights that line the street at night.

It’s about giving, loving, and wanting to do something positive.

PLEASE join me in helping a family who has been through so much and really needs help, but won’t ask for it themselves.

If you would like to make a donation, in any amount you can, please click HERE

You will be directed to a donation box sent up so that your donation deposits directly into the Mips Paypal account and will be used towards helping Oliver fight and win his battle.

If you want to send them a Paypal donation without using this button, please send your donations to Oliver’s Dads

Huge prayers being said here. What a brave family, wish they didn’t have to be. What a lucky boy, keep that hope!

Cassandra -December 18, 2011 - 6:26 pm

You are in my prayers angel child

Becky -December 19, 2011 - 1:08 am

My prayers are with all of you. Keep the Faith, HE will be your miracle baby!!

SusanReardon -December 19, 2011 - 1:23 am

My thoughts & prayers to Oliver and his family. I can only say to keep praying. We went through this many, many years ago and our son was very sick. We almost lost him as well and I wish this on no one. It’s very difficult to explain and no one deserves this especially these most precious children. Keep the faith. After our son was released we went through many years of up hill battles some that were very scary at times. But I can say our son is now a junior in college and the love and joy of our life along with his younger brother. Our thoughts & prayers our with you now and always. I wish you strength from one premie mom to another.

Tim and Family,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

marie cooner -December 19, 2011 - 6:26 pm

Dear Tim and Angela,
I heard in June of Oliver’s birth, but truly thought by now he was home with you. He is quite the little fighter. I will add all 3 of you to my prayers.
Marie

Sue Ramey / Pearse-Bertram LLC -December 19, 2011 - 6:37 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with you Tim and Angela and with baby Oliver. What a beautiful child.

Angela MIPS -December 20, 2011 - 2:56 am

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. Oliver is such a fighter and he is so blessed to have so many people rooting for him. Again, thank you, the support helps us get through the hard days!

Jon Pecoy -December 20, 2011 - 1:01 pm

Hello Ang,
It is an amazing story and i have been trying to get updated as often as i can from Bryan. If there is ever anything i can do please let me know.

KIM AND BRYAN YURKANIN -December 20, 2011 - 2:27 pm

Tim and Angela,
We are praying for your precious baby Oliver every day. After seeing these beautiful pictures, you can just feel the love that you have for him. I pray for the Lord to bless you and Tim with strength and courage to get through each day.
Peace and love,
Kim & Bryan Yurkanin

Lee Mendenhall -December 20, 2011 - 5:36 pm

Tim and Angela:

Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. We will be praying for you guys until they are answered. May God give you strength to travel down the road that is paved before you.

Heart felt prayers,

The Mendenhall & Schulz Group Families

Jenn -December 20, 2011 - 6:17 pm

Your story has touched my heart! Love to you and your family and we will be rooting for Oliver! Thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

Ann Marie Navin -December 21, 2011 - 3:28 am

You all will be in my prayers.

courtney e -December 21, 2011 - 2:49 pm

Huge prayers for Gods loving healing hand ro touch Oliver and form a hedge of protection around him. Also praying for strength for his parents and wisdom for the Dr’s.

Jenny & Erix -December 21, 2011 - 3:59 pm

Angela, we continue to pray for Oliver & your family!

Tiara -December 21, 2011 - 10:37 pm

I send my prayers for baby oliver to get better…Oliver is in my prayers.

Corday Family -December 22, 2011 - 12:26 am

Tim & Angela,

The three of you are in our hearts and we think of you often. We too hope that he surprises us all, he is here to do amazing things. One day at a time.

Nicole Honeycutt -December 22, 2011 - 2:21 am

Hello Mips Family,

Reading your story, your son’s amazing fight – left me in tears. As a Mom, I cannot even begin to fathom what you and your family are going through. We are all praying and rooting for little Oliver to overcome this battle. May your Christmas miracle come through. Wishing you nothing but the best.

The Honeycutts

Ami Alderman -December 22, 2011 - 2:48 am

My prayers and hearts go out to Olivier and his family. As I read your story I was in tears by his journey. I am a mother of a premie but he was born at 34 weeks. I am adding your family to my church prayer chain and know that every night your familly will prayed for.

God Bless
The Aldermans

cheryl cameron -December 22, 2011 - 5:37 am

God bless that baby and his family!

Cindy McCormick -December 22, 2011 - 3:33 pm

Oliver is a blessing to our family and every day teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured and shared. Angela and Tim are wonderful parents and special people.

admin -December 22, 2011 - 4:14 pm

I am so honored to hear that we have raised almost $10000 for this family at this point. I never would have thought this would be so amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better gift for Christmas for myself, as this experience has given me. My heart if full of love and warmth from all that have dontated and helped me, help them. A special thank you to 96.5 tic fm in Hartford, CT…. amazing. Thank you all so much.

Jennifer Giesey -December 22, 2011 - 5:00 pm

It’s stories like this that really hit the spot. Poor little guy, such a fighter and so adorable! He is definitely a loved little bundle, isn’t he? Love, thoughts & prayers are being given here! Good luck and Merry Christmas! <3

Colleen Miller -December 27, 2011 - 12:58 am

Never give up the Hope! We all HOPE that one day very soon he will surprise you!! Oliver, You and your family has been in our Thoughts and Prayers since we read your story and will continue to be!

Meta

NILMDTS

I volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep which provides remembrance photography to parents that just suffered the loss of a baby with free professional photographs. In the hopes that it helps along with the healing process.
Please visit
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
for more information.

InspirationthroughArt

Inspiration through Art

I also volunteer for this organization that provides art thru photography to any child suffering from a serious illness.
For more information please follow this link http://www.inspirationthroughart.org/